CD case with polishing and cleaning device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to provide a CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising a tray; a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon; and a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray, the lid including an actuating assembly rotatably provided on its bottom facing the tray, an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray, and a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and the actuating unit through its other end for move the actuating unit relative to one surface of the CD immediately therebelow for either polishing or cleaning the CD.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compact disc (CD) containers and moreparticularly to a CD case having a polishing and cleaning device withimproved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer technology has known a rapid, spectacular development in recentseveral decades. Both operating speed and storage space of a computerare increased significantly. And in turn, the amount of data for variousprograms is increased greatly. Traditional diskettes of small capacityare thus insufficient. For solving this problem, many types of advanceddata storage medium are developed by manufacturers of the art. Thesetypes of advanced data storage medium not only have a high capacity butalso have an increased read-write speed. One typical type of theadvanced data storage medium is optical disk (of which CD-ROM is themost common kind). Also, an optical burner is required to write datainto a CD-R or the like. The operating speed of an optical burner isincreased steadily and also capacity of an optical disk (e.g., compactdisc (CD)) is increased steadily as technology makes progress. And inturn, selling price of a single CD is decreased greatly. As a result,the sales of CDs is increased steadily.

Nowadays, CDs gradually become a means for learning, entertainment,listening to music, watching movies, and storing data. Thus, it is acritical issue to store CDs in a safe place. It is known that aread-write surface of a CD tends to be scraped or scratched due toinvasion of dust or collision. A correct data reading from CD is madeimpossible if its read-write surface is damaged. Thus, a variety of CDcases for storing CDs are commercially available. Further, a type of CDcase having a cleaning feature is developed by some manufacturers of theart. The type of CD case not only can store CDs but also can clean same.

A conventional CD case is shown in its open position in FIG. 1. Thecircular CD case comprises a tray 1 and a lid 2 hingedly secured to anedge of the tray 1. The tray 1 comprises a circular platter 10 forcarrying a CD 12, and a turning table 11. The turning table 11 has anouter diameter smaller than that of the platter 10. The platter 10 ispivotably provided on a center of the tray 1. The platter 10 comprises adrive gear 100 provided around its annular edge, and an annular flange102 on its top center. The turning table 11 is provided proximate theplatter 10. A driven gear (not shown) is provided on a bottom center ofthe turning table 11 and is in mesh with the drive gear 100. An annularresilient member 111 is provided around a top edge of the turning table11. A polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 is provided on a top ofthe resilient member 111. A revolution of the platter 10 will turn theturning table 11 a plurality of revolutions. As a result, a read-writesurface of the CD 12 is either polished by the polishing member 112 orcleaned by the cleaning member 112.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the lid 2 comprises a fastening member 20 ona bottom, a ring-shaped pressing member 22 on the bottom, and anL-shaped crank 24. The fastening member 20 is projected inward from abottom center of the lid 2 facing the tray 1. The pressing member 22 isprovided around the fastening member 20 and is spaced therefrom. Thecrank 24 is provided on a top of the lid 2 and has one end connected tothe fastening member 20. The lid 2 is pivotably secured to an edge ofthe tray 1 by means of a hinge. The polishing member (or cleaningmember) 112 is pressed onto a read-write surface of the CD 12 and thefastening member 20 is securely engaged in a tooth-shaped centralopening of the flange 102 (i.e., the fastening member 20 and the platter10 are secured together) when the tray 1 is closed by the lid 2 bypivoting. Then, turning the crank 24 will turn the pressing member 22,the platter 10, and the turning table 11 in sequence. As a result, theCD 12 is either cleaned or polished.

However, the prior art CD case suffered from several disadvantages andconsumers are thus not satisfied with its quality. For example, thecrank 24 is in gear engagement with a center of the platter 10 forturning same in operation through the fastening member 20 and the flange102. Hence, an excessive force is exerted upon the gear connection. Assuch, rotation of the platter 10 is not smooth, resulting in a poorpolishing or cleaning effect. Consumers are thus frustrated. Further,both the fastening member 20 and the flange 102 tend to damage due toexcessive force exertion. Furthermore, a distance between the hinge andthe turning table 11 is relatively long. Hence, the CD 12 is not pressedby the polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 of the turning table 11when the lid 2 is closed onto the tray 1. As such, the polishing orcleaning capability of the polishing member (or cleaning member) 112 ispoor. Moreover, an area of the platter 10 is smaller than that of the CD12. Hence, the CD 12 carried by the platter 10 is not reliable (i.e.,tend to shake). And in turn, the CD 12 is not securely pressed by thepolishing member (or cleaning member) 112. This further lowers thepolishing or cleaning effect. Thus, it is desirable to provide a novelCD case having an improved polishing and cleaning device in order toovercome the inadequacies of the prior art, satisfy vast consumers, andincrease sales of the product produced by manufacturers of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

After considerable research and experimentation, a CD case having apolishing and cleaning device according to the present invention hasbeen devised so as to overcome the above drawbacks of the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a CD case for eitherpolishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising a tray; a platter pivotablyprovided on a top of the tray with the CD placed thereon; and a lidhingedly secured to an edge of the tray, the lid including an actuatingassembly rotatably provided on its bottom facing the tray, an actuatingunit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly and adapted to pressonto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed onto the tray, and adriving assembly rotatably provided at the lid and having one endextended beyond the lid and the other end connected to both the platterand the actuating assembly such that turning one end of the drivingassembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, and theactuating unit through its other end for move the actuating unitrelative to one surface of the CD immediately therebelow for eitherpolishing or cleaning the CD.

In one aspect of the present invention both the platter and theactuating assembly are adapted to turn together. The driving assemblycomprises a spindle received in a channel of the lid, the spindle havingone end extended through the bottom of the lid and the other endextended beyond a top of the lid, a first drive gear put on one end ofthe spindle to be in mesh with an edge of the actuating assembly, asecond drive gear put on one end of the spindle adjacent the first drivegear to be in mesh with an edge of the platter, and a crank provided onthe other end of the spindle such that turning the crank will turn boththe actuating assembly and the platter by turning both the first drivegear and the second drive gear on the spindle respectively.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional CD case in its openposition;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of CD caseaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the CD case of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled CD case of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a CD case having a polishing and cleaningdevice in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventioncomprises a circular tray 3, a lid 6 hingedly secured to an edge of thetray 3 such that the lid 6 is adapted to pivot to close or open the tray3, a platter 4 pivotably provided on a top the tray 3, a CD 5 adapted toplace on a top of the platter 4 opposite the tray 3, an actuatingassembly 7, and a driving assembly 9 both provided on the lid 6. Theactuating assembly 7 is rotatably provided on a bottom of the lid 6facing the tray 3. An actuating unit 8 moveably mounted on the actuatingassembly 7 is pressed onto one surface of the CD 5 when the lid 6 isclosed onto the tray 3. The driving assembly 9 is rotatably provided atthe lid 6 and is extended to both faces of the lid 6. One end of thedriving assembly 9 is extended beyond the lid 6 and the other endthereof is extended within the lid 6. Also, the driving assembly 9 isconnected to both the platter 4 and the actuating assembly 7. Inresponse to turning one end of the driving assembly 9, the other end ofthe driving assembly 9 turns same to turn the platter 4, the actuatingassembly 7, and the actuating unit 8. As a result, the actuating unit 8either polishes or cleans on the CD 5.

Referring to FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 3, in the preferredembodiment of the invention the driving assembly 9 comprises a spindle91, a first drive gear 93, a second drive gear 95, and a crank 97. Thespindle 91 is received in a channel 60 of the lid 6. One end of thespindle 91 is extended downward through the lid 6 facing the top of thetray 3 and the other end thereof is extended upward to top of the lid 6.The first drive gear 93 is put on one end of the spindle 91 to be inmesh with an edge of the actuating assembly 7. The second drive gear 95is put on one end of the spindle 91 adjacent the first drive gear 93 tobe in mesh with an edge of the platter 4. The crank 97 is provided onthe other end of the spindle 91. Thus, turning the crank 97 will turnthe spindle 91, the first drive gear 93, and the second drive gear 95.And in turn, both the actuating assembly 7 and the platter 4 are turned.As compared to the prior art which exerts a great force on a center ofthe platter 4 for rotation, only a minimum force exerted by theinvention is capable of effecting a smooth rotation of the platter 4.Also, the polishing or cleaning operation of the CD 5 is smooth andconsistent.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the crank97 comprises a projection 971 at one end, a yoke 973 having one endpivotably secured to the projection 971 by a pivot pin, and a cylinder975 provided at the other end of the yoke 973. The yoke 973 is adaptedto pivot about the projection 971 on their pivot joint in one directionto insert the cylinder 975 into a cavity 62 on a face of the lid 6. As aresult, a complete CD case is formed. The CD case is easy to store in aminimum space. Also, the yoke 973 is adapted to pivot about theprojection 971 on their pivot joint in the other opposite direction tocause the cylinder 975 to clear the cavity 62. Then, a user may hold thecylinder 975 to turn the projection 971 and thus the spindle 91. Byconfiguring as above, a user may easily either polish or clean the CD 5by turning the crank 97.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, in the preferred embodiment theactuating assembly 7 comprises a first disc 71 and a second disc 73having an annular riser 731. The first disc 71 is affixed to the bottomof the lid 6 facing top of the tray 3 and is spaced from the lid 6 by agap. The second disc 73 is pivotably provided in the gap and has itsperiphery extended to periphery of the first disc 71. The riser 731 isprovided on the periphery of the first disc 71 and is formed on a faceof the second disc 73 facing the top of the tray 3. A first driven gear733 formed on a periphery of the riser 731 is in mesh with the firstdrive gear 93. Thus, the second disc 73 may turn in response to turningthe first drive gear 93.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the actuatingunit 8 comprises at least one hollow cylinder 80 having one endpivotably secured to a position proximate a periphery of the first disc71. The hollow cylinder 80 comprises a drive gear 800 and a pressingdisc 82. The drive gear 800 is formed on a periphery of the hollowcylinder 80 and is in mesh with a second driven gear 735 formed at aninner side of the riser 731. The hollow cylinder 80 is turned by thesecond driven gear 735 when the second disc 73 turns. The pressing disc82 is resiliently provided at the other end of the hollow cylinder 80. Acleaning pad or polishing pad is adhered to bottom of the pressing disc82 facing top of the tray 3. Thus, the pressing disc 82 may turn as thehollow cylinder 80 turns. As an end, the polishing or cleaning pad maythoroughly and uniformly polish or clean the CD 5.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, in the preferred embodiment one face of thepressing disc 82 facing the hollow cylinder 80 comprises a plurality ofhooks 822 extended to the other end of the hollow cylinder 80 andinserted into a plurality of holes 802 formed proximate the other endface of the hollow cylinder 80. The pressing disc 82 is mounted on thehollow cylinder 80. The hollow cylinder 80 further comprises an elasticmember 84 having one end urged against one end of the hollow cylinder 80and the other end received in a space confined by the hooks 822 to urgeagainst one face of the pressing disc 82 facing the hollow cylinder 80.By configuring as above, an elastic force exerted by the elastic member84 may urge the pressing disc 82 to continuously press onto one surfaceof the CD 5. The cleaning pad or polishing pad is disposed in closeproximity to the surface of the CD 5 when both the platter 4 and thepressing disc 82 turn. As a result, cleaning or polishing effect isimproved. Also, it is possible of replacing a polishing pad with acleaning pad or vice versa in any time by cooperating the pressing disc82 with the hollow cylinder 80.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment theplatter 4 comprises a rotation hole 40, a flexible latch 42, and a thirddriven gear 44. The rotation hole 40 is provided on a center of theplatter 4 and is located on a face of the platter 4 facing top of thetray 3. A center post 31 of the tray 3 is rotatably provided in therotation hole 40. Thus, the platter 4 may turn on the tray 3. The latch42 is provided on center of the platter 4 and is located on a face ofthe platter 4 facing a bottom of the lid 6. A center hole 51 of the CD 5is put on the latch 42 for securing the CD 5 onto the platter 4. Thethird driven gear 44 is formed around a periphery of the platter 4 andis in mesh with the second drive gear 95. The platter 4 turns on thetray 3 when the second drive gear 95 turns. And in turn, the CD 5 turnsas the platter 4 turns. Thus the actuating unit 8 cleans or polishes onesurface of the CD 5. A surface area of the platter 4 is larger than thatof the conventional platter. Hence, a more even force is exerted on theCD 5 by the actuating unit 8. As an end, the polishing or cleaningeffect is greatly improved.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment a hinge 64is provided at a joining portion of the lid 6 and the tray 3. The hinge64 comprises two spaced first protrusions 642 and two spaced secondprotrusions 33. The first protrusions 642 are provided on one face ofthe lid 6 facing top of the tray 3. Each of the first protrusions 642comprises a first pivot member 644 on one side facing the first pivotmember 644 of the other first protrusion 642. The second protrusions 33are spaced apart and are provided at one edge on one face of the tray 3.Each of the second protrusions 33 comprises a second pivot member 35 onthe other side distal the second pivot member 35 of the other secondprotrusion 33. The second protrusions 33 are fitted between the firstprotrusions 642 when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. Also, thepivot members 644 and 35 are pivotably secured together. As such, thelid 6 and the tray 3 are hingedly secured together at one edge.Therefore, the lid 6 is adapted to pivot in one direction to close ontothe tray 3 or pivot in the other opposite direction or open the tray 3.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the lid 6further comprises a peripheral flange 66 on one face facing top of thetray 3. The flange 66 is integrally formed with the lid 6. The flange 66comprises a central well 660 and an elongate trough 661 besides the well660. The well 660 is provided on one face of the flange 66 facing top ofthe tray 3. The well 660 has one face formed on one face of the lid 6and the other face formed on the other face of the lid 6. The well 660is adapted to receive the tray 3. The lid 6 and the tray 3 are formed asa unitary member when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. Thetrough,661 is provided between the well 660 and one edge of the lid 6.The protrusions 642 and 33 pass the trough 661 to extend between the lid6 and the flange 66 when the lid 6 is closed onto the tray 3. Byconstructing as above, the lid 6 is hingedly connected to the tray 3 atone edge. As such, the lid 6 and the tray 3 are formed as a unitarymember with both the driving assembly 9 and the actuating assembly 7 areconcealed in a space defined by the lid 6 and the flange 66. The CD caseis thus not only aesthetic but also is prevented from being damaged orlosing its components by concealing both the driving assembly 9 and theactuating assembly 7.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the flange66 further comprises a cut 662 and at least one hole 663. The cut 662 isprovided on an edge at one face of the well 660 such that the seconddrive gear 95 may pass the flange 66 to be in mesh with the third drivengear 44. As such, the platter 4 can be turned. The holes 663 areprovided facing the other end of the actuating unit 8 which passes theflange 66 for urging the pressing disc 82 against one surface of the CD5. By configuring as above, both the second drive gear 95 and the otherend of the actuating unit 8 are easy to pass the flange 66 to turn theplatter 4 to clean or polish the CD 5.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the flange66 further comprises a switch 67 proximate the other face of the well660. The switch 67 comprises a groove 671, a push button 672, and asecond elastic member 675. The groove 671 is provided on the flange 66.One end of the groove 671 is proximate the well 660. The push button 672is moveably provided on the groove 671. The push button 672 comprises apush block 673 at one face of the flange 66. A latch piece 674 isprovided at the other face of the flange 66. Thus, the push button 672moveably provided in the groove 671 is prevented from being dislodged.Also, one end of the push button 672 directly faces a tunnel 664 on aperiphery of the well 660. One end of the second elastic member 675urges against the push block 673 and the other end thereof urges againsta protuberance 665 formed at the other face of the flange 66 in whichthe protuberance 665 is proximate the groove 671.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, an elastic force exerted by the secondelastic member 675 is adapted to push one end of the push button 672through the tunnel 661 and the well 660 until insert same into a slot 37on a bottom of the tray 3. As such, the lid 6 is lockingly secured tothe base 3. It is possible of opening the lid 6 only by pushing the pushbutton 672 toward the protuberance 665 to cause one end of the pushbutton 672 to clear the tunnel 664, the slot 37, and the well 660.Further, the switch 67, the driving assembly 9, and the actuatingassembly 7 are proximate bottom of the lid 6. The lid 6 is securelyclosed onto the tray 3 by the switch 67. And in turn, the actuating unit8 on the actuating assembly 7 is further close to the CD 5. As an end,the polishing or cleaning effect on the CD 5 is improved greatly.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 again, in the preferred embodiment the lid 6further comprises two arcuate first recesses 68 proximate two edges. Atransparent cover 680 is provided on each first recess 68. The flange 66further comprises two arcuate second recesses 666 facing the firstrecesses 68. A transparent cover 667 is provided on each second recess666. Thus, a user may clearly see the CD 5 being polished or cleanedthrough the recesses 68 and 666 and the transparent covers 680 and 667.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could bemade thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

1. A CD case for either polishing or cleaning a stored CD comprising: atray; a platter pivotably provided on a top of the tray with the CDplaced thereon; a lid hingedly secured to an edge of the tray; anactuating assembly rotatably provided on a bottom of the lid facing thetray; an actuating unit moveably mounted on the actuating assembly andadapted to press onto one surface of the CD when the lid is closed ontothe tray; and a driving assembly rotatably provided at the lid andhaving one end extended beyond the lid and the other end connected toboth the platter and the actuating assembly such that turning one end ofthe driving assembly will turn the platter, the actuating assembly, andthe actuating unit through its other end.
 2. The CD case of claim 1,wherein the driving assembly comprises: a spindle received in a channelof the lid, the spindle having one end extended through the bottom ofthe lid and the other end extended beyond a top of the lid; a firstdrive gear put on one end of the spindle to be in mesh with an edge ofthe actuating assembly; a second drive gear put on one end of thespindle adjacent the first drive gear-to be in mesh with an edge of theplatter; and a crank provided on the other end of the spindle such thatturning the crank will turn both the actuating assembly and the platterby turning both the first drive gear and the second drive gear on thespindle respectively.
 3. The CD case of claim 2, wherein the actuatingassembly comprises: a first disc affixed to the bottom of the lid facingthe top of the tray and spaced from the lid by a gap; a second discpivotably provided in the gap and having a periphery extended to aperiphery of the first disc; a riser provided on the periphery of thefirst disc and disposed on one face of the second disc facing the top ofthe tray; and a first driven gear formed on a periphery of the riser tobe in mesh with the first drive gear such that the second disc isadapted to turn in response to turning the first drive gear.
 4. The CDcase of claim 3, wherein the actuating unit comprises at least onehollow cylinder having one end pivotably secured to a position proximatethe periphery of the first disc, the hollow cylinder including: a drivegear formed on a periphery of the hollow cylinder to be in mesh with asecond driven gear formed at an inner side of the riser such thatturning the second disc will turn the hollow cylinder through the seconddriven gear; and a pressing disc resiliently provided at the other endof the hollow cylinder, the pressing disc having a bottom facing the topof the tray adhered to either a cleaning pad or a polishing pad.
 5. TheCD case of claim 4, wherein the platter comprises: a rotation holeprovided on a center of the platter and located on one face of theplatter facing the top of the tray wherein the rotation hole is adaptedto rotatably receive a center post of the tray; a flexible latchprovided on the center of the platter and located on the other face ofthe platter facing the bottom of the lid wherein a center hole of the CDis adapted to securely put on the latch; and a third driven gear formedaround a periphery of the platter to be in mesh with the second drivegear.
 6. The CD case of claim 5, further comprising a hinge provided ata joining portion of the lid and the tray, the hinge including: twospaced first protrusions provided on one face of the lid facing the topof the tray, each of the first protrusions including a first pivotmember on one side facing the first pivot member of the other firstprotrusion; and two spaced second protrusions provided at one edge onone face of the tray, each of the second protrusions including a secondpivot member on the other side distal the second pivot member of theother second protrusion wherein the second protrusions are fittedbetween the first protrusions when the lid is closed onto the tray, andthe first and second pivot members are pivotably secured together forhingedly securing the lid to the tray at one edge.
 7. The CD case ofclaim 6, wherein the lid further comprises a peripheral flange on oneface facing the top of the tray, the flange integrally formed with thelid and including: a well provided on one face of the flange facing thetop of the tray, the well having has one face formed on one face of thelid and the other face formed on the other face of the lid, and the welladapted to receive the tray wherein the lid and the tray are formed as aunitary member when the lid is closed onto the tray; a trough providedbetween the well and one edge of the lid wherein the first and secondprotrusions pass the trough to extend between the lid and the flangewhen the lid is closed onto the tray; a cut provided on an edge at oneface of the well such that the second drive gear is adapted to pass theflange to be in mesh with the third driven gear; and at least one holefacing the other end of the actuating unit which is adapted to pass theflange for urging the pressing disc against one surface of the CD. 8.The CD case of claim 7, wherein the flange further comprises a switchproximate the other face of the well, the switch including: a grooveprovided on the flange, the groove having one end proximate the well; apush button moveably provided on the groove, the push button including apush block at one face of the flange, and a latch piece provided at theother face of the flange wherein one end of the push button faces atunnel formed on a periphery of the well; and an elastic member havingone end urged against the push block and the other end urged against aprotuberance formed at the other face of the flange, the protuberancebeing proximate the groove such that an elastic force exerted by theelastic member is adapted to push one end of the push button through thetunnel and the well until insert same into a slot formed on a bottom ofthe tray.
 9. The CD case of claim 8, wherein the crank comprises: aprojection formed at the other end of the spindle; a yoke having one endpivotably secured to the projection; and a cylindrical member providedat the other end of the yoke wherein either the yoke is adapted to pivotabout the projection on their pivot joint in one direction to insert thecylindrical member into a cavity formed on one face of the lid, or theyoke is adapted to pivot about the projection on their pivot joint inthe other opposite direction to cause the cylindrical member to clearthe cavity such that holding and turning the cylindrical member willturn both the projection and the spindle through the yoke.
 10. The CDcase of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of hooks formed on oneface of the pressing disc facing the hollow cylinder, extended to theother end of the hollow cylinder, and inserted into a plurality of holesformed proximate the other end face of the hollow cylinder.
 11. The CDcase of claim 10, wherein the hollow cylinder further comprises anelastic element having one end urged against one end of the hollowcylinder and the other end received in a space confined by the hooks tourge against one face of the pressing disc facing the hollow cylinder.12. The CD case of claim 7, wherein the lid further comprises two firstrecesses proximate its two edges, and two transparent covers eachprovided on the first recess.
 13. The CD case of claim 12, wherein theflange further comprises two arcuate second recesses facing the firstrecesses, and two transparent covers each provided on the second recess.